…new hope, new life. Many things come to pass with the
birth of a new child.

For a season, everyone, forgets their own weariness and own
problems.

This tiny creature will change people’s lives…forever.

There is nothing like the announcement of a new baby to
bring excitement in a family. As the song says, “…new hope, new life. Many
things come to pass with the birth of a new child. For a season, everyone
forgets their own weariness and problems. This tiny creature will change
people’s lives…forever.”

Expectant mothers gain a lot of attention, as friends and
family are typically very intent on being involved in the entire process of
pregnancy up until the very end. When the moment finally occurs, there is
nothing like the sound of a newborn baby’s cry to validate the life that has
been growing and developing over the past nine months, and create such
overwhelming joy.

The same excitement that comes from physical birth also
occurs when we experience spiritual birth in that moment when we ask Christ to
become our personal Savior and Lord of our lives. In fact, many people now
celebrate both their physical and spiritual birthdays because they understand
the day Christ came into their life is just as important as the day they came
into being.

Imagine the joy that was evident at Christ’s birth since
His physical birth would ultimately change mankind forever. We can have
spiritual rebirth because of His physical birth. John 10:10 says,
“One…came…that they might have life, and that they might have it more
abundantly.” We have a new life all because of one child: Jesus. As you reflect
on this Christmas season, be thankful for what God did by sending His only Son
so that we can have new life. Be thankful for that holy night when a child was
born so that we could be born again.

What does new life in Christ mean to you?

Dear Lord, as we reflect this Christmas season help us be
thankful for what God did by sending His only Son so that we can have new life.
In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

It’s often difficult for people to understand that Jesus
was born just like us. He wasn’t born in a luxurious palace or a fancy
hospital. He was born outside, in a manger. He came into a world filled with
sin, yet he lived an absolutely perfect life. He came to lead us, and guide us
into a loving relationship with God.

The three wise men are a great example of what complete
submission to God looks like. The moment they saw the star they dropped
everything they were doing and embarked on a long journey that was most likely
difficult at times. The men had no idea where they were going, but placed their
complete trust in a star to lead them. They devoted everything to seeking Him
no matter the cost. Just like the three men in this song followed a shining
star to see Jesus when he was born, if we submit
ourselves to God, He will direct our paths and be a perfect guide for our
lives.

Try to remember a time when you did submit something to God.
What was the outcome of that situation?

Dear Lord, help us to submit ourselves to You knowing that You
will direct our paths and be a perfect guide for our lives. In the Name of
Jesus, Amen.

Sunday, December 16, 2018

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God,
to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which
is your spiritual worship.

Come they told me, Pa rum pa pum pum

A newborn King to see, Pa rum pa pum pum

The night was silent, except for the beating of his heart.
It seemed so loud to him, he wondered if his traveling companions could hear it
too. He was nervous to see a king, but he kept walking, holding tightly to his
drum.

His heart was about to beat out of his chest. The others
were carrying beautiful boxes filled with precious gifts, gifts worthy of a
king. He had nothing but his drum, which suddenly seemed an inappropriate
instrument to play for king, not to mention a newborn king. If only he had a
more soothing instrument, like the harp the shepherd boys sometimes play.

His heartbeat was deafening as he stood before the King.
And then Mary nodded. The King’s mother nodded at him. She actually wanted him
to play. He raised his sticks and began to tap the first pattern that came into
his head, the rhythm of his beating heart.

And so the Little Drummer Boy gave his heart to God. He
played his best. He gave his best.

How often do we feel our gifts are not good enough? We
compare ourselves to others, wondering why their gifts seem so much more
“useful” for the kingdom. We want to teach like our pastor, or sing like our
worship leader. Or maybe we want to share our blessings, but at times, we don’t
feel very blessed. We can’t give what we don’t have, but rather than lamenting
our lack, we need to look for our “drum,” the one thing that only we can give.

The truth is God already has teaching like the pastor’s. He
already has singing like the worship leader’s. And what He wants, what He can
really use, is your heart.

Think of how you can bless others this season, and in turn
bless God. You don’t have to spend money. You just have to give of yourself, of
your heart. Just like the little Drummer Boy. Jesus smiled at him. Think of
Jesus smiling at you. Kind of makes your heart race, doesn’t it? Listen.

Are you giving your best to God? If not, how could you give
your best to him today?

Dear Lord, help us to give you our very best this Christmas
Season. Like the drummer boy we want to give You our heart. In the Name of
Jesus, Amen.

Saturday, December 15, 2018

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for
he will save his people from their sins.

Then let us all with one accord

Sing praises to our heavenly Lord

That hath made Heaven and earth of naught

And with his blood mankind has bought.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel!

It is widely known that noël is the French word for
Christmas, but do you know the origin of the word? Noël comes from the Latin
word natalis, meaning “birth.” Therefore, the title of the hymn, fully
translated, is “The First Birth.” This song is about the nativity story, the
birth of Jesus as we read in the Bible. Angels came to Joseph and Mary, telling
them, “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Jesus came to save us from our sins. That is what this
season is about for us: the remembrance of the birth, and the life of Jesus. He
was born here, lived here, died here, and was raised again here, all so that we
would have a new way to have a relationship with God. This song reminds us of
the hope of salvation that came with the birth of Jesus. We celebrate not only
the newness of His life, but also the opportunity of new birth offered to each
one of us. The King is born! His blood will make us new!

Whatever sin, whatever shortcoming, whatever failure,
whatever weakness you have, a child was born, and he has come to save you.

How could His birth change the lives of people you know
this holiday season? What will you do about it?

Dear Lord, thank You for coming to Earth that first
Christmas. Thank you for the change it has made for us. Help us to share the
good news with all those around us this Christmas. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

If there’s one song that has the “Christmas Spirit” it’s
this one. It makes us think of a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting. Or
maybe we imagine carolers coming to our doors while we offer them some tasty, apple
cider fresh off the stove. We attend parties at friends’ houses and services at
church. Let’s not forget about being all bundled up on Christmas morning with
our families while the most beautiful snowflakes fall to the ground.

And then in the midst of our Christmas illusions, our
children storm into the room yelling “Mom!” or “Dad!” because someone hit them,
or because one of them use the other’s pellet gun without asking, or because
one of the neighbors took their basketball away, or because they fell off the
zip line. Oh, for the love of all that is good and right in the world, can we
not stay in our little piece of Christmas paradise just a tad bit longer?

That’s life, isn’t it? No matter how perfect we try to
paint the canvas of our lives, there will always be something extra put on it
that wasn’t in our minds when we dreamed it. Something that cramps our perfect
picture. Something that breaks our heart.

A relationship that ended.

A loved one who died prematurely.

The betrayal of a friend.

God isn’t surprised by the interruptions in our lives? In
fact, nothing surprises Him. Don’t mistake bad things happening in your life as
His loss of control. No, this is not about His ability but about His
sovereignty.

While we may wish that bad things would never happen in our
lives, they will happen. Jesus said we’d have trouble (John 16:33), but He also
promised that He’d calm us in the midst of it (John 14:16). So, no matter where
we are in life, whether we expected to be on the path we are on or not, rest
assured, that our God can make broken things beautiful.

Friends, we know that in all things God works for the good
of those who love Him, who’ve been called according to His purpose (Romans
8:28). Press on and trust in the One who will never let you down.

How have you seen God in control in the midst of life’s
interruptions?

Dear Lord, we thank You that even in the disasters around
us we can rest in the fact that You are in control and weren’t surprised by the
situations that we are going through.In
the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Still, still, still… These words do not seem to have a
place in the hustle and bustle of a busy life, especially at Christmas time.
Parties, presents, and projects usually have us in a frantic frenzy as we rush
from one event to the next. Often, before we know it, Christmas day has come
and gone. Only then do we realize that, despite our good intentions, we never
experienced the peace that comes from truly relishing in God’s amazing love for
us.

Isn’t it interesting that God commands us to “Be still”? Do
you think it’s because He knows we sometimes have a hard time doing it on our
own?

What happens when we actually take time to be still? The
answer lies in Psalm 46:10…”Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted
among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth”. When you are still before
God, you better understand that whatever you are facing, whatever your day has
been like, you can completely rest in the fact that God is God. He’s awesome
and amazing and sovereign. He loves us more than we can imagine and He’s got
things under control.

Spend time today purposely pursuing stillness in different
moments. Perhaps you could wrap up in a blanket & head outside for a peek
at the stars, wondering what that holy star looked like, the one that signaled
Christ’s birth many years ago. Maybe take a minute to watch your young child
sleep and wonder as you gaze at that sweet face, what Mary and Joseph thought
of their newborn son. Open your Bible, read a favorite Scripture…then sit and
wait.

What truths resonate in your soul about Christ as you take
time to be still before Him?

Dear Lord, help is to be still and listen for Your voice.
Thank You so many years ago for coming to Earth to show us the way. In the Name
of Jesus, Amen.

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living
hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Mild He lays His glory by;

Born that man no more may die.

Born to raise the sons of earth;

Born to give them second birth.

It’s fun to look at a tiny baby and imagine what he will
grow up to become. It could be anything – a pilot, a policeman, a chef, an
astronaut, a pastor, or a million other options. The future is wide open and
full of possibilities.

Jesus was born with one purpose. As it says in the carol,
he was “born that man no more may die.” His birth was all about our new birth.
In 1 Peter 1:3, Peter praises God for the “new birth into a living hope” – and
all that is possible because Jesus laid aside his glory and offered Himself in
our place, taking the punishment of death we deserved for our sins. His death
and resurrection gives us new life. As you go about your business and your
busyness of the season, intentionally take a few moments to slow down and
remember that Jesus was born to give YOU a second birth. What a reason to
praise Him!

Who in your life doesn’t yet realize the true reason for
Jesus’ birth? What will you do to share it with them?

Dear Lord, open our eyes this Christmas Season to those around
us. Help us to share the true meaning of Christmas with them. I the Name of
Jesus, Amen.